Tenerife

The biggest of the Canaries, this island is unmissable. At its heart stands a volcano more than 3,500m tall surrounded by pine forests, banana plantations and a sun-soaked coastline with sandy beaches.

Here you’ll find luxe hotels, delicious seafood and capital city Santa Cruz de Tenerife, home to the world’s second-largest carnival. Yep, this island knows how to enjoy itself.

The pad: Want to get away from it all? Book into Red Level at Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora and you’ll find luxurious, spacious suites with sea views. There’s even a hot tub on the balcony.

Service is second to none, plus there’s an adults-only swimming pool, jacuzzis overlooking the Atlantic and a serene sunbathing area with its own chiringuito, AKA beach bar. B&B costs from £190 a night (Melia.com).

You should pay a visit to El Medano - the longest beach in Tenerife measuring at over 2km

Explore: Thirty minutes away, the tiny village of Masca is perched atop a plunging gorge. Stop for coffee and stroll to the top for eye-popping views. Further inland, more spectacular scenery awaits.

A cable car takes you almost to the very peak of Teide, soaring 1,200m in eight minutes, and on clear days you can spot the neighbouring islands. For beaches, head south to Adeje or north to Teresitas for a day trip and you’ll find perfect golden sands, rather than the more common black sand Tenerife is known for.

Refuel: In the town of Los Gigantes you’ll find the island’s best restaurant, El Rincón de Juan Carlos. The sublime tasting menu at this small Michelin-starred, family-run spot offers dishes such as squid with artichoke, before the “dessert tree” – a selection of sweet treats in a cloud of candy floss on a miniature tree, £75 for 12 courses (Elrincondejuancarlos.com).

For something simpler, head to Tajao village, where Agua y Sal serves up fresh-off-the-boat seafood.

At its heart stands a volcano more than 3,500m tall surrounded by pine forests, banana plantations and a sun-soaked coastline

Order whole local fish, around £18, garlic prawns and grilled squid before feasting on the terrace (Aguaysalrestaurante.es). El Rincón del Marinero also specialises in fresh local fish (Rincon-del-marinero.jimdo.com).

Don’t miss: Most tourists skip the island’s north end, but this is where there’s Canarian culture in spades. Garachico is a pretty seaside village where you can take a dip in natural volcanic pools at the ocean’s edge.

Further east, Puerto de la Cruz has gorgeous botanic gardens, while San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a postcard-perfect village of candy-coloured mansions. Top pick, though, is La Orotava. Located in a lush valley, the town is packed with 17th-century manor houses and ancient churches.

Get there: Return flights from the UK with Ryanair start from £84 (Ryanair.com).

Grief in Tenerife for TOWIE's Megan McKenna in trailer for The Only Way Is Essex

Gran Canaria

You definitely need to try some rum as Gran Canaria is home to the oldest rum distillery in Europe

Dramatic mountains, subtropical forests and sun-baked deserts combine on Gran Canaria, often said to be a continent in miniature.

From the vibrant capital Las Palmas to the stunning sand dunes of Maspalomas, there’s something on this volcanic island for everyone – including plenty of white, sandy beaches.

The pad: Few hotels boast a setting as stunning as that at Seaside Palm Beach. The sea-view rooms gaze out over the Maspalomas sand dunes, which run for miles – and where clothing is optional in some parts!

Everything about this hotel is super-stylish, from the ’70s retro-chic architecture to the mid-century modern furniture. There are two gorgeous swimming pools surrounded by palm trees – the one by the spa is quieter – and the Esencia restaurant serves fresh fish and a delicious chateaubriand under the stars. Be sure to make time for the spa, too – one of the island’s best, it offers dreamy massages. B&B costs from £133 a night (Hotel-palm-beach.co.uk).

Explore: Las Palmas is the most alluring city in the Canaries, 40 minutes from Seaside Palm Beach. Start exploring at Las Canteras beach, where a stroll along the golden sands means inevitably stopping for a cold Tropical beer (the local brew) in one of the numerous beachside bars – try La Bikina Cantina, which also has great burgers.

In La Vegueta (the old town) you can’t miss the vast neoclassical cathedral, and there’s also a museum about Christopher Columbus, entry £3.50, who set sail for the New World from the Canary Islands.

Refuel: The best food on Gran Canaria is the simplest. At Las Canteras beach, walk along to La Marinera for a seafood feast.

The speciality here is fideuà, a tasty noodle dish with mussels and prawns galore, £25 for two (Restaurantelamarineralaspalmas.com). There’s local wine to wash it down with, too. Also in Las Palmas, Bom Gosto gastro bar pulls in a cool crowd for Portuguese tapas.

In Maspalomas you’ll find the island’s best pizza and pasta at Maximilian’s, while in Puerto de las Nieves on the rugged western coast, Ragú is perpetually packed with local families enjoying Canarian specialities such as almogrote cheese and papas arrugadas – small, salty potatoes served with a spicy mojo sauce. Mains cost from £12.

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